Photographic enlargement printing frame



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. yRMFF ET A1.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ENLARGEMENT PRINTING FRAME Filed April 3, 1945 IvIIIIIIYIIIIIIIIIM.

Dec. 2', 1947.

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PHOTOGRAPHIC ENLARGEMENT PRINTING FRAME Fi;@d.Apri1 3, 1945 Dec. 2, 947.

Patented Dec. 2, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE PHOTOGRAPHIC ENLARGEMENT PRINTING FRAME Application April 3, 1945, Serial No. 586,334

y 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel construction of frame or easel for holding sensitized paper subject to projection printing thereon of enlargements from photographic negatives.

The invention has for an object to provide an improved frame or easel adapted to receive and position sensitized paper in exposed relation to photographic enlarger apparatus, whereby a light projected image from a negative mounted in said apparatus may be properly focused upon the paper to print thereon a desired enlargement of the negative subject.

The invention has for another object to provide an improved frame or easel for purposes stated to which sheets of a selected size of sensitized paper to be printed may be quickly, easily7 and successively mounted in and removed therefrom, whereby to produce a desired number of enlarged prints from a given negative subject.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for quickly and easily adjusting the frame or easel to accommodate the same for operative reception of various sizes of sensitized paper sheets, whereby to produce desired selected sizes of enlarged photographic prints; the adjusting means per se being of exceedingly simple character, andA being removably related to the main body of the frame or easel, but capable of quick and easy assembly therewith in various positions according to the selected size of sensitized paper sheet desired to be accommodated by the frame or easel; said adjusting means being of such novel structure, and so related to the main body of the frame or easel, as to be selfsustained in operative assembled relation thereto,- without necessity for use of manipulatable fastening, clamping or other devices.

Still another object of the invention is to p-rovide in connection with the main body of the frame or easel novel provision for storing the adjusting means within the coniines thereof and in retained but detachable out-of-service assembly therewith.

Other objects of this invention. not at this time more particularly enumerated will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the frame or easel according to this invention, with the adjusting means positioned and operatively assembled therewith to accommodate large size sensitized paper sheets; and Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the adjusting means positioned and operatively assembled with the frame or easel body to accommodate lesser sizes of sensitized paper sheets.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of the paper receiving end of the frame or easel, with the adjusting means positioned and operatively assembled therewith as shown in Fig. l; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 4 4 in Fig. 1, but drawn on an enlarged scale,

said view showing, by broken lines, the adjusting means in removed relation to the main body of the frame or easel, subject to reassembly therewith in another selected position; and Fig. 5 isa perspective view of the adjusting means removed from the frame or easel body, this view being also drawn on an enlarged scale.

' Fig. 6 is an end elevational View, on an enlarged scale, showing the adjusting means assembled with the main body of the frame or easel-in outof-service stored assembly therewith, said frame or easel being disposed in an inverted position; and Fig. 7 is a plan View of the same, drawn on a reduced scale.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a modied form of the adjusting means per se.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate vcorresponding parts. f

Referring to the drawings, the main body of the frame or easel is of rectangular shape comprising parallel side bars l0, an upper end bar Il and a lower end bar l2, all joined at their meeting ends in a suitable manner to provide a rigid peripheral frame structure. Said sides S and top end bars are of equal and substantial width and thickness or height. Said lower bar l2 is disposed with its upper face flush with the top faces of the side and top bars, but is of less thickness or height,v so as to provide open space beneath the same and intermediate the adjacent end portions of the side bars. Rabbeted into the inner face portions of the side and upper end bars l0 and Il, in downwardly spaced relation to but in parallel plane with the top faces of the side and end bars, is a flat paper supporting plate I3, which is coextensive with the open interior of the aforesaid frame structure. The spacing of said paper supporting plate i3 relative to the under face of the lower end bar l2 is such as to provide an intermediate opening or slit I4, somewhat exceeding in height the thickness of a sheet of sensitized paper, through which opening or slit I4 a sheet of such paper may be passed beneath said lower end bar I2 and onto the supporting lilfae of said plate I3 within said frame structure. The marginal portions of the inner faces of said side and upper end bars I9 and Il, which are contiguous to the paper supporting surface of said supporting plate I3, are undercut to provide paper stopping and masking cavities I5 of desired width and of height substantially corresponding .to 'the `thickness .of a sensitized paper sheet, whereby, when marginal portions of a sheet are entered therein, such marginal portions will be masked against light attack so as to remain unprinted, and thus `urnisl'i outn lining border portions on the nished enlargement print, when the latter is produced. Y

Novel means is provided for adjustably predetermining and limiting the sensitized paper receiving area of the supporting plate I3 within the frame structure and contiguous ;to the paper admission opening or slit I4, whereby to selectively accommodate large or lesser sizes or such paper sheets, according to a selected size of photographic enlargement desired to be printed. A preferred form of such adjusting Ameans coniprises `a unitary subdivider ,member Vformed by a transverse rail jpiece I6 `having at onesidethereof stile pieces II respectively extending, in one direction, vright angularly from 'its respective end por tions, ka-nd a ldivision piece 'I8 at the other side thereof extending, in theopposite-direction, right angularly from an intermediate portion thereof. Said-subdivider member thus vformed is so dimensioned in external lengtha-nd width as -to correspond to the internal length and width of the main body of the frame or easel, so that it is inserta-ble within the upwardly open interior of the A"latter above and-so as to abut the -paper supporting plate I3. Preferably, 4the thickness or height of the subdivider member exceeds the depth of the upwardly open interior of -the main body of the 'frame or easel, lso `that the external sides Vand free ends of the vst'iles YI"I and the free end vof the ldivision piece I-8 'may Vbeprovided with externally projecting ledge portions Iiladapted to lap the top face of the frame or easel body, whereby to enhance the stability of the subdividervmember relative to the frame or easel body when it is operatively assembled with the flatter.

On its under face, the rail -piece Irof the subdividenmember is provided with 'a downwardly onset -rib l'AEI extending longitudinally therealong intermediate 'its lateral margins; said rib 28 serving both toY provide a paper stop and to offset theundersurface of said rail piece -IG from the opposed surface of the -paper supporting plate I3, whereby to provide, respectively along Vopposite lateral marginal portions of said rail piece undersurface, outwardly open masking cavities 2 I and '22 of -desired width, in which marginal portions -of -a sensitized paper sheet `may ybe entered and thereby masked against light attack for print border provision. On Ytheir underfac'es the stile pieces I'I of the subdivider member are each provided vwith a downwardly offset rib "23 extending-longitudinally therealo'ng contiguous to their outer lateral margins; -said ribs 23 likewise serving -both'topro'vide a lpaper stop and to oilset vthe undersurfaces of said stile pieces Vfrom the opposed-surface of thepaper supporting plate lI3, whereby to provide along the inner lateral marginal 'portions `4of each stile piece outwardly open masking cavities :24 vor" desired width, in which marginal portions of a sensitized paper sheet may be entered and thereby masked against light attack for print border-provision. Similarly, on its -underface, the division piece I3 ofthe subdivider member is provided with a downwardly oiset rib 25 extending longitudinally therealong intermediate its lateral margins; said rib 25 providing both a paper stop and defining opposite outwardly open masking cavities 26 and 21, by which entered marginal portions of a sensitized papel sheet may be maskedagainst light attack `for print `border provision.

vIn'the use of the frame or easel of 'this invention, if it is desired to obtain a comparatively `Alarge size print, the subdivider is inserted within -the frame structure with its stile pieces I'I directed toward the paper receiving end of said frame structure (as shown in Fig. l), whereby -a comparatively large 'internal area A of said sub- .divider memberis opposed to the lower end bar I 2 of the frame or easel body and to the paper admission `opening or slit I4 underlying the latter. When the frame or easel body and subdivider member are thus assembled, a sensitized paper sheet P (see Fig. 4), sized to fit said internal area A, is inserted through vthe pa-per 4admission opening or slit I4 onto the paper supporting plate IS, -until its upper Iedge is stopped against the rib 20 of the rail piece I6, Iand -so vthat its upper marginal .-portion :is entered in the masking cavity /2I of said rail piece, its side 4marginal portions entered in `the masking cavities 24 of the stile pieces I-`I, -and fits :lower ymarginal portion masked by the lower vend barfIZ Aof the frame or -easel body. The paper thus operatively assembled with the frame or easel may thereupon be subjected to the printing effect of -a 'photographic enlarger -in the well known manner. EX- posure having been made, vlche pa-per sheet may be quickly and easily withdrawnfa-nd -a 'new sheet substituted. Such voperations being repeated until a desired number of enlargement Iprints lare obtained. To -give convenient vaccess tothe papel' sheets, vwhereby to facilitate manipulation thereof vin entering the same in and removing xthe same from the receiving area A, lthe xfree vmarginal end portion of the ypaper supportingplate I3 is provided with a central indented `finger access opening or notch 28.

I-f 'it is desired fto vobtain Aprints of lesser size, the subdividermernberis lifted out of the fra-me or easel body, turned-end for endand-then reinserted in body, with its division piece I3 directed -toward the paper receiving end yof the latter (as shown ih Fig. 2), whereby lesser internal areas B and C of said subdivider member are Iopposed to the lowerend bar -l`2 of the frame or easel body and fto the paper admission opening or slit I-'I underlying the latter. The internalvareas B and C may be selectively 'used according to the size of printdesired. If the 'larger of these two areas, Viz. the area B, is to be used, t'he paper lis inserted 4therein until stopped by the rib 2U of rail piece I5 and marginally masked at vits 4upper end by the masking cavity 22, vat one side by the masking Vcavity I5 of an adjacent frame side bar I0 and at the other side bythe masking cavity l25 of the division piece I 8, andatits bottom'lower end'by the 'frame lower-end bar I2. To give convenient access "to fthe receiving Aarea B, lthe free marginal end portion 4of the paper supporting plate I3 is provided with an indented nger access opening or notch 29 'to extend within the -connes of said area B. If Vthe smaller of the `two aforesaid areas, viz. the area C, is to be used,the paper is inserted therein until 'stopped 'b y the rib 2i! of the rail piece 4IE5 Aand marginally masked at its top upper endby the masking cavity '22, at one side bythe masking cavity I5 of -an adjacent frame side bar rIll and at vrthe Aother side -by the masking cavity 21 of the division piece I8, and at its lower end by the frame bottom end bar I2. To give convenient access to the receiving area C, the free marginal endl portion of the paper supporting plate I3 is further provided with an indented finger access opening or notch Si] to extend within the coniines of said area C.

If it is desired to obtain a print corresponding in size to the internal area of the frame or easel, then the subdivider member is removed, whereupon a paper sheet of such size may be passed through the paper admission opening or slit I4 onto the supporting plate surface, and so that marginal portions of the thus entered paper are lodged in the masking cavities I5 and beneath thelower end bar I2.

From the above it will be observed that the novel subdivider member, which is separable from the frame or easel body, may be quickly and easily assembled with said body, so as to provide a selected one of variously sized paper holding areas in position for use, and that when operatively assembled with the frame or easel body, said subdivider member holds its place and relation there to Without necessity for use of manipulatable fastening, clamping or other devices, or movable parts. As a consequence of this, not only is the frame or easel very convenient for the intended purposes, but there are no parts likely to become lost or disorganized.

Another novel feature of the frame or easel of this invention is the provision of means for storing the separable subdivider member therein, when the same is not in use. To this end the side and upper end bars I and II are provided at their inner faces and underneath the paper supporting plate I3 with receiving channels or ways 3I. These channels or ways are adapted to slidingly receive the ledge portions I9 of the subdivider member, whereby to support and store the latter within the frame structure and beneath the paper supporting plate I3. This is shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modied form. of the subdivider member, wherein but one stile piece Il is provided to extend right angularly from one end of the transverse rail piece I6. When a subdivider member oi this form is employed and positioned to oppose a comparatively large area A to the frame bottom end bar I2 and to the paper admission opening or slit I4, one side marginal portion of the paper will engage in a masking cavity I of the frame side bar I0 which opposes the single stile piece IT', while the other side marginal portion of the paper will engage i in the masking cavity 24 of said stile piece I'I; otherwise the relation oi the paper to the subdivider member is the same as already above described. It will also be understood that more than one division piece I8 may be provided, if desired.

Having now described our invention, we claim:

l. A device for the purposes described comprising a rectangular frame body having a paper supporting plate coextensive with the interior thereof and spaced below the plane Of the top face thereof, said frame body having a paper admission opening contiguous to the top surface of said supporting plate, and means to predetermine and limit areas oi the frame body interior i and said supporting plate which are accessible to paper inserted through said admission opening, whereby to selectively accommodate various sizes of paper sheets, said means comprising a separable subdivider member adapted to be removably inserted and variously disposed within the frame body to overlie said supporting plate in selected positions according to a given size of paper sheet desired to be accommodated, said subdivider member comprising a rail piece to t transversely within the frame interior, at least one stile piece extending right angularly from an end of said rail piece in one direction, and at least one division piece extending right angularly from an intermediate point of said rail piece in the opposite direction.

2. A device for the purposes described comprising a rectangular frame body formed by side bars, an upper end bar and a lower end bar rigidly joined at their meeting ends, a paper supporting plate rabbeted into the inner faces of said side and upper end bars to be coextensive with the interior of said frame body and spaced below the plane of the top face thereof, said lower end bar being spaced above the top surface of said supporting plate to provide an intermediate paper admission opening, and means to predetermine and limit areas of the frame body interior and said supporting plate which are accessible to paper inserted through said admission opening, whereby to selectively accommodate various sizes of paper sheets, said means comprising a separable subdivider member adapted to be removably inserted and variously disposed within the frame body to overlie said supporting plate in selected positions according to a given size of paper sheet desired to be accommodated, said subdivider member comprising a rail piece to t transversely within the frame interior, at least one stile piece extending right angularly from an end of said rail piece in one direction with its free end abutting one end bar of the frame body, and at least one division piece extending right angulariy from an intermediate point of said rail piece in the opposite direction, with the free end thereof abutting the other end bar of the frame body.

3. A device for the purposes described comprising a rectangular frame body formed by side bars, an upper end bar and a lower end bar rigidly joined at their meeting ends, a paper supporting plate rabbeted into the inner faces of said side and upper end bars to be coextensive with the interior of said frame body and spaced below the plane oi the top face thereof, said lower end bar being spaced above the top surface of said supporting plate to provide an intermediate paper admission opening, and means to predetermine and limit areas of the frame body interior and said supporting plate which are accessible to paper inserted through said admission opening, whereby to selectively accommodate various sizes of paper sheets, said means comprising a separable subdivider member adapted to be removably inserted and variously disposed within the frame body to overlie said supporting plate in selected positions according to a given size of paper sheet desired to be accommodated, said subdivider member comprising a rail piece to t transversely within the frame interior, at least one stile piece extending right angularly from an end of said rail piece in one direction, with its free end abutting one end bar of the frame body, and at least one division piece extending right angularly from an intermediate point of said rail piece in the opposite direction, with the free end thereof abutting the other end bar of the frame body, the side and upper end bars of the frame body having undercut masking and paper stop cavities entering the inner faces thereof contiguous to the top surface oi said supporting plate, and said `7 rail, vstile and division pieces of the subdivider member having offset projecting portions on the undersides 'thereof to provide paper stop and masking cavities entering side faces thereof contiguous :to the top surface of said supporting plate.

4. A device for the .purposes described as defined in claim 3, wherein said subdivider member is provided with externally projecting ledge portions to lap the frame body 'When said member is super-posed upon the supporting plate, and at least the opposite sides of said frame `body hav- .ing open channeled Ways entering the inner faces thereof vso as to be disposed in spaced parallel plane `below the underside of said supporting plate, said channeled Ways being adapted to slidably receive said ledge portions of said subdivder member, whereby to support said member in stored assembled relation to the frame body when not in use.

ANDREW RAIFR SYLVIA S. ROBBINS. VICTOR G. ROBBINS. XSIDORE S. ROSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of `record in the file of this patent:

1935, page 488. 

